Hulty
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I have been looking around the web trying to find these but to no avail. Has anyone else come across anywhere?
If you're unfamiliar, I'll explain the best I can. About 6-7 months ago my Sonic was troubled with any number of problems that can be grumbled about in the various threads here, from engine sputtering to LT/ST fuel trims being all over the board to overall general inconsistencies in engine performance that would make this backyard mechanic want to pull out his hair if it weren't already all shaved off. After a few less than fun loaner cars from the dealer due to troubleshooting, it turned out to be a faulty coil pack, but not so much the coil pack itself as it was the integrity of the rubber plug boots extending from the pack. Still to this day I don't know the technical details but here is what my mechanic told me.
He said that DELICATE care needs to be taken when removing/installing the coil packs in these cars, especially those like ours with tuned Ecotec 1.4's, because of the intensity of the spark that they generate, the metal cylinders that house the plugs, and the overall nature of the thin rubber material covering the plugs being the only insulation between the plug and the metal wall surrounding them. This rubber is the only thing preventing an electrical arc and any degradation in this rubber due to improper removal/installation will cause arcing and will be evident by carbon tracking on the plug.
I know, sounds like some degree of BS, but my mechanic showed me all the proof I needed when he showed me his set of coil pack removal tools that, as a certified GM mechanic, GM sent him(and billed him accordingly) for strict removal of the pack. They were essentially 8"-10" T Bars that were threaded on the end for insertion into the coil pack and meant to ensure uniform lift on all four plug boots.
So, anyway, I'm rambling, but I'm looking to swap my plugs soon but I REALLY want a set of these T Bars for my tool box before doing so.
Has anyone found these anywhere?
If you're unfamiliar, I'll explain the best I can. About 6-7 months ago my Sonic was troubled with any number of problems that can be grumbled about in the various threads here, from engine sputtering to LT/ST fuel trims being all over the board to overall general inconsistencies in engine performance that would make this backyard mechanic want to pull out his hair if it weren't already all shaved off. After a few less than fun loaner cars from the dealer due to troubleshooting, it turned out to be a faulty coil pack, but not so much the coil pack itself as it was the integrity of the rubber plug boots extending from the pack. Still to this day I don't know the technical details but here is what my mechanic told me.
He said that DELICATE care needs to be taken when removing/installing the coil packs in these cars, especially those like ours with tuned Ecotec 1.4's, because of the intensity of the spark that they generate, the metal cylinders that house the plugs, and the overall nature of the thin rubber material covering the plugs being the only insulation between the plug and the metal wall surrounding them. This rubber is the only thing preventing an electrical arc and any degradation in this rubber due to improper removal/installation will cause arcing and will be evident by carbon tracking on the plug.
I know, sounds like some degree of BS, but my mechanic showed me all the proof I needed when he showed me his set of coil pack removal tools that, as a certified GM mechanic, GM sent him(and billed him accordingly) for strict removal of the pack. They were essentially 8"-10" T Bars that were threaded on the end for insertion into the coil pack and meant to ensure uniform lift on all four plug boots.
So, anyway, I'm rambling, but I'm looking to swap my plugs soon but I REALLY want a set of these T Bars for my tool box before doing so.
Has anyone found these anywhere?
